TuesdayMemo Podcast #8 October 9, 2015

Commissioner Steve Novick announces that he’s willing to stake his political career on a ten cents a gallon gas tax. But what if we could choose where our tax dollars go? Would we spend it on recreational marijuana? Ann Sanderson and Eric Fruits chat a bit about this and that in Portland politics.

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It’s as though the demand for living in the of Portland has spiked with the recovery in the regional economy and also the artificial wall erected around development in the Portland Metro area (the UGB). So, the City is hiking its price and requirements for living in the City, helping fill its public coffers which in turn are used to gain favor with campaign donors friendly to the politicians continually in power at Portlunia city hall.

Now there’s going to be a demolition tax, upping the price tag of a new home in the City. We are all suppose to continue living in aging housing stock and yet another erosion of private property rights.

And new transportation taxes and fees are only beginning. There is also thought of charging for offstreet parking even as homeowners work to maintain the parking strip in front of their homes and are liable (where’s the quid pro quo in this scheme). Portland Public Schools is talking of nearly tripling its construction bond tax. Then the City talks of a property tax levy for “homelessness development opportunists.”

All told ordinary City of Portland stiffs like me are looking at over $1,000 per year in new local taxes. It’s an avalanche of bad news for long time residents.